Improved Constraints on D0-D0bar Mixing in D0 -> K+ pi- Decays from the Belle Detector

Abstract

We report the results of a search for D0-D0bar mixing in D0 -> K+ pi- decays based on 400 fb^{-1} of data accumulated by the Belle detector at KEKB. Both assuming CP conservation and allowing for CP violation, we fit the decay-time distribution for the mixing parameters x' and y', as well as for the parameter R_D, the ratio of doubly-Cabibbo-suppressed decays to Cabibbo-favored decays. The 95% confidence level region in the (x'^2,y') plane is obtained using a frequentist method. Assuming CP conservation, we find x'^2<0.72 x 10^{-3} and -9.9 x 10^{-3}<y'<6.8 x 10^{-3} at the 95% confidence level; these are the most stringent constraints on the mixing parameters to date. The no-mixing point (0,0) has a confidence level of 3.9%. Assuming no mixing, we measure R_D=(0.377+-0.008+-0.005)%.